"Liberal" Religion

[Upchurch]

My wife and I are attending a class at church about the origins and background of the Unitarian church. We've only been to one class so far, but it's been incredibly interesting (I'm used to these things being dead boring).

Anyway, I've heard Unitarianism called a "liberal religion" before, but I always took it in the social/political sence. I mean, any church that accepts just about any take on religion sounds pretty "liberal" to me. But that's not the definition of the word as used here, it turned out.

"Orthodoxy" translates to "the correct (i.e. only) way to praise God." Orthodox religion, then, teaches the orthodoxy, but also focuses on answering the question, "What is the nature and will of God?" "Heresy", which I always assumed means to disobey, actually only means "to choose". So, from an orthodox point of view, heresy does mean to disobey if you choose anything other than the orthodoxy.

Liberal religon has a different focus. Instead of focusing on God like orthodox religion does, it focuses on the question "What is the nature of human nature?" It is how one answers that question that determines how one "praises God," for whatever definition of the word "God" is derived from one's understanding of the nature of human nature.

So, in a way, Unitarianism is all about heresy, about choice. Pretty cool, huh?

[Marquis de Carabas]

So...what you're saying is that you're a heretic?

Tell us something we don't know :p

[Upchurch]

yeah, but being a self-proclaimed heretic and joining a heretical organization are totally different things. I feel such a sense of heretical community!

[Iacchus]

Originally posted by Upchurch

yeah, but being a self-proclaimed heretic and joining a heretical organization are totally different things. I feel such a sense of heretical community! Yes, but Hera-sees everything, and she will put you down!

By the way, Hera is the ever jealous and vengeful wife of Zeus, who in many ways represents the "established view."

[Dancing David]

Originally posted by Iacchus
Yes, but Hera-sees everything, and she will put you down!

By the way, Hera is the ever jealous and vengeful wife of Zeus, who in many ways represents the "established view."

Hera worship is enouraged and allowed, there is a place in the caledar of events for Hera as well,
How many established churches have the Charge of the Goddess in there book of hymns, it is listed in the alternative section, starting "I who am the beauty of the green earth..."

The U.U.s are very cool, when you leave the church they burn a question mark on your lawn.

[Iacchus]

Originally posted by Dancing David

Hera worship is enouraged and allowed, there is a place in the caledar of events for Hera as well,
How many established churches have the Charge of the Goddess in there book of hymns, it is listed in the alternative section, starting "I who am the beauty of the green earth..."

The U.U.s are very cool, when you leave the church they burn a question mark on your lawn. Yes, Hera sees heresies, most everywhere she looks. That her is nature.